CHEERFUL CHAPS

Thursday, August 13th, 2026

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Krishna sends me the coolest cats. It is my great pleasure to spend the next few days with two cheerful chaps, happy chappies. As a sannyasi I have the obligation and privilege to have a companion or two. I reflect on the life of Chaitanya, who as a swami, was encouraged to have at least one assistant during his walking sessions, hence it was arranged by his well-wishers. That was a period in Medieval India.

But I am in Canada and the times are different. I flew to the Atlantic province of New Brunswick and got picked up by someone driving an Outlander. This is unlike the motorless 15th/16th era in India. I think modes of transportation in the good ol’ days were better overall, despite the limitations.

What about my companions?

First of all, flying with me was Monil from Toronto, originally Gujarat, India — a sweet young man, a monk and devotee. Secondly, a well-established 33 year old man from the U.K. — musical, bright, good teacher— joined us in Fredericton for a house sangha at Sima’s place.

You just can’t get better humans than this. There is not a lot of people that can say, “I love my company!” When there is something needing to be done, in this situation, it gets done.

Whenever you look at these two, there is an openness and an eagerness to do anything, such as service, with a smile. They are approachable and sociable enough to say they like people.

We all have a number of things in common. We like listening to bhakti, philosophy, food, chant, people, nature, swimming, walking, serving, overall optimism.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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